By Taylor Boyd
The Patrick County Alzheimer’s Group, LLC donated more than 300 long-sleeved shirts to local nursing home residents for Christmas.
Sally Smith, president of the Alzheimer’s group, said the non-profit organization tries to ensure its at-home clients and those in nursing homes receive gifts during the holiday season.
“This year we were told that many of our clients in the nursing home stayed cold all the time. So, the group decided maybe we could acquire sweatshirts for everyone,” she said.
When getting prices, Smith said the cost of about 325 shirts was going to significantly go over the group’s budget.
However, when she found out Hanesbrands was having a large sale in Winston Salem, N.C., she decided to go and see if she could get a better price.
While Hanesbrands originally said the group could have 25 shirts at its original price, Smith said when the manager found out what the Alzheimer’s Group planned to do with the shirts, he dropped the price down to $1 per shirt.
This allowed the organization to purchase 500 shirts instead of its planned 325.
“Hanes sold us the shirts at such a deal we were allowed to help many more individuals,” she said.
Smith said the group gave 179 shirts to Blue Ridge Therapy Connection, 69 to the Landmark Center, 40 to a nursing home in Martinsville, and others to the residents of Cotton Mill Apartments.
The Vesta/Meadows of Dan Alzheimer’s Group, LLC also furnished 69 shirts for Heritage Hall Laurel Meadows, a Laurel Fork nursing home.
“We also sold to the group that helps the homeless in the Kernersville area at a reduced price for the homeless in that area,” Smith added.
